The story is told about a 75-year-old man who was sipping a glass of wine while seated at the porch with his wife. The man said: “I love you so much. I don’t know how I can live without you.” So thrilled, his wife asked him: “Is that you, dear, or is that the wine in you that is talking?” Whereupon the husband replied: “It’s me, dear, talking to the wine I am sipping.”
* * *
In today’s Gospel (Jn. 6, 24-35), we hear of the crowd of people looking for Jesus. Was it Jesus they were looking for, or the benefits they could get from Him? In other words, were they looking for Jesus as the Bread of Life, or were they simply looking for more bread after their experience of the multiplication of the loaves and fish?
* * *
Let us ask ourselves today about the quality of our relationship with the Lord. Do we see God as some kind of a godfather who provides, or an aspirin that banishes our headaches? Is he our God just because of the things He does for us? Consequently, is He no longer our God when He does not do what we ask from Him? May our relationship with God be something that is really heartfelt and personal, and not just based on the functional or beneficial.
* * *
Today, we who claim to do the Lord’s work would also do well to ask ourselves about the quality of the work we claim to do for the Lord. How many times have we used the Lord’s name in vain? How many times have we carried out our personal interest and agenda in His name? How many times have we focused on the perks and benefits of our work to the neglect of sacrifice and commitment? Let us continue to be open toward real altruism and true loving. These happen in so far as we are open to being honest and being true.
* * *
Jesus reminds us today to look beyond the temporary and the perishable. As we go about our daily lives, may we not lose sight of the “big picture” of who we are, and what we are meant to be. Let us not forget that there are many important things that cannot be measured, quantified, by worldly measures and standards.
* * *
The proponents of the Reproductive Health bill see what is materially important in the here and now. Those who oppose it see that, too, but not at the expense of values and morals. The former see progress at any cost, while the latter see progress with a conscience.
* * *
Let us remember that a government is established by the people not as an instrument to prevent, stop, or extinguish life, but to uphold, protect, and enhance it. If a government denies the right to life at its first instance, what is there to stop it from violating human rights, the rights of the invalid, the rights of elders, and what have you!?
* * *
Let us listen to Archbishop Jose Palma’s admonition: “There is ill portent for the nation when the government does not look at its own population as a source of grace and blessing. There is grave reason to worry when the government would rather suppress the population through the RH bill instead of confronting the real causes of poverty.”
* * *
Today is devoted to St. John Marie Vianney, patron saint of priests. On behalf of my brother priests, I would like to thank you for your prayers, support and understanding for us, your priests. I would like to ask for forgiveness for whatever hurts or disappointments we have inflicted upon you in any way. I would also like to assure you that in spite of the weaknesses and failures of some of us, there are still many priests who truly strive for Christlike sanctity and ministry. And please don’t forget, we are all priests, sharing in the common priesthood of Christ.
* * *
Allow me to share again my simple ordination prayer: You have called me, oh Lord, not so much because of me, but in spite of me, not so much to become a somebody, but to be a someone to You and to Your people. Keep me, oh Lord, ever in Your love. Amen.
* * *
Prayer for priests: “Lord Jesus, I pray for Your faithful and fervent priests; for priests laboring at home and abroad in some distant mission field. Lord, bless all young priests, dying priests, and the souls of your priests in purgatory. Bless the priests who absolved me of my sins, who said Mass and gave me your Body and Blood; who taught and instructed me, and all priests to whom I am indebted in any way. Keep them close to Your heart. Amen.”
* * *
Here’s a wonderful text message I received: “Lord, grant me the grace to live the rest of my life, the best of my life. Amen!”
* * *
A moment with the Lord:
Lord, help me not to be afraid to take the road that leads to truth, freedom, and honesty. Amen.